Energy Procurement

Unbiased energy procurement starts with powerful connections

What is energy procurement?

Energy procurement gives businesses the opportunity to proactively purchase energy in order to make strategic choices, in an effort to minimize energy costs. At Power Management, we understand how critical managing energy cost is to a company’s success. Procuring, or purchasing, natural gas and electricity can be confusing and time-consuming as business leaders are faced with trying to sort through the overwhelming number of energy companies now offering electric and natural gas supply alternatives. A thorough understanding of the underlying wholesale markets, power generation, delivery factors, economic and political influences and their joint impact on prices are all vital. For this reason, we act as an advocate on your behalf to leverage our strong relationships with nationally recognized and financially sound energy suppliers, to obtain the most competitive pricing and provide you with an all-inclusive approach to best manage your energy costs.

Deregulation & Energy choice

In states with deregulated energy markets, businesses have the option to select a third-party supplier to purchase natural gas and/or electricity. Deregulation allows consumers more freedom, and energy choice introduces the element of competition between multiple suppliers. Deregulation allows for businesses to pursue contracts and plans that may be lower, more strategic, or able to better protect against volatility than what the utility provides. The regulated utilities still continue to manage delivery, transmission and distribution.

$246,275

Cost of Project:
(before incentives
$347,750)

$133,559

Annual Energy Savings

1,734,541

kWh Saved Annually

58.6%

% kWh Saved Annually

320,000

Project Square Footage

1.7

Payback (years)

WHY POWER MANAGEMENT

Testimonial

“Power Management has acted as our sole energy management company for the past 10 years. The knowledge and support they have provided us through the years has allowed us to make strategic, competitive decisions in regards to our energy.”

“

Kevin Nelson

Executive Director, Stratford, CT Housing Authority

OUR PROCESS

Our energy procurement process starts with a discussion to learn more about your business; number of locations, hours, current agreements etc. Your account manager will then analyze and audit your utility invoices in order to get a clear picture of your energy usage profile and gather information needed for the pricing process. After reviewing your account information, our pricing department will negotiate pricing on your behalf with our reputable network of suppliers.

We will then present the best available options to suit your specific energy needs. Rather than initiating energy purchasing based on contract expiration dates or fiscal calendars, we monitor market dynamics day in and day out, and aim to identify the best possible time to drive your energy procurement. Once an agreement is in place, we will stay in touch and continuously monitor the markets for any advantageous opportunities that coincide with your strategy and alert you when those opportunities exist for procurement savings. During the course of your agreement, we can also provide invoice audits to ensure pricing accuracy and consistency.

Electric Energy Procurement

The price of electricity per Kilowatt Hour (kWh) can fluctuate based on changes in natural gas and oil prices, weather, political events and other economic factors. In order to make an accurate comparison between the offers you receive, understanding what is or is not included in the price is important. Common components that comprise an electricity rate are:

• Energy: The cost of the commodity itself and the main component of your electricity supply. This will be what the supplier calculates to purchase the amount of power you need on the wholesale market for the term of your agreement.• Capacity: This covers the cost to help guarantee sufficient generation will be available to meet the demand of the electric grid at all times.• Ancillary services: Charges to ensure the that electric grid is functioning smoothly and there are reliable operations.• Losses: Charges for the energy that is lost during transmission from the generation source to delivery at your business.• Transmission: The cost to move power from the generator to your local receiving point.• Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS): Recovers costs if your state has implemented mandates that require suppliers to purchase a portion of their energy from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and biomass.

Depending on the supplier, these charges may be included as part of the price quote, or they may be passed through as separate charges on your bill. A rate that does not include every cost component will be lower, however in the long run could be more costly. That is why it’s important to work with a company that has a good understanding about energy procurement and various supplier agreements and can better educate you regarding which product, offer and suppliers will work best for your business. In addition to the pricing components, considering your company’s risk tolerance, business goals and need for budget certainty can help determine if you are more comfortable with a fixed or variable pricing structure.

Fixed Pricing

A fixed price allows you to lock in a set rate per kilowatt hour (kWh) over a designated time (contract term) for the generation portion of your electricity bill. Your monthly bill will vary based on your consumption, but the rate you pay per kWh will remain constant. This option allows customers who prefer price stability a higher level of budget certainty.

Variable Pricing

If your company is able to withstand the potential highs and lows in the market a variable price may be an option. This type of plan tends to work better for businesses with a higher risk tolerance as market rates are changing regularly based on supply and demand, weather and other factors.

Our electric energy procurement services are available to businesses located in many states including:

New York

Massachusetts

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Maryland

Connecticut

Rhode Island

Illinois

Ohio

Texas

Natural Gas Energy Procurement

Natural gas prices can be affected by the amount of natural gas production, level of natural gas in storage, volumes of natural gas imports and exports, availability and prices of competing fuels, weather, political events and other economic factors. The price will generally be quoted in dollars per dekatherm (Dth), therm (Th) or dollars per million British thermal units (MMBtu). Common components that comprise a natural gas rate are:

Commodity: The cost of the natural gas. This will be what the suppliers calculate to purchase the amount of gas you need on the wholesale market for the term of your agreement. Most contracts are priced through the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

Basis: The basis is the cost difference to move your natural gas from the NYMEX at the Henry Hub in Louisiana, to your delivery point. The basis may be added or subtracted from the NYMEX price.

Fuel or Losses: The costs to replace the gas that is used or lost along the pipeline between your local distribution company and your business.

Again, your company must determine if you are risk adverse or are able to withstand the large potential market swings.

Fixed Pricing

A fixed price allows you to lock in a set rate over a designated time (contract term) for the generation portion of your natural gas bill. Your monthly bill will vary based on your consumption, but the rate you pay per Dth will remain constant. Again, this option shields businesses from large swings and unforeseen changes in market prices allowing for price stability

Variable Pricing

With variable priced contracts, your monthly natural gas price will fluctuate with the monthly NYMEX settlement price. There are also options to lock in a portion of the rate (basis) and your Account Manager at Power Management can monitor the markets for opportune times to lock in the remainder of the rate at a later time.

Again, this is a very general overview of the products offered and areas served that are available to businesses we work with. The benefit of working with Power Management for your business’ energy procurement is our unparalleled experience with various suppliers and market knowledge developed over the last 20 years. This expertise allows us to customize solutions for each client’s individual needs.

Our natural gas energy procurement services are available to businesses located in many states including:

New York

Massachusetts

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Maryland

Connecticut

Rhode Island

Illinois

Ohio

Michigan

How do I compare energy providers?

Whether you have historically been directly with your utility for electric and/or natural gas supply, or have worked with an energy supplier in the past, you may be wondering what things to consider when switching energy suppliers. At Power Management, we take the stress of this process away by handling this for you. Because energy rates differ by customer, industry, supplier and location, understanding all of these caveats requires constant exposure to suppliers and their activities within each market. Our team of energy experts work day-in and day-out with suppliers to compare options on your behalf and search for ways to reduce your energy costs.

However, if you are looking to change or compare energy providers for your business, there are a few things you should keep in mind when evaluating a new company whether it be a direct energy supplier or an energy consultant company.

Research the company in depth

How long has the company been in business- are they well established?

Are they affiliated with a utility or any other company?

Consider their attention to customer service and if they seem to be available when you call

Where are they located? Are they familiar with and/or have strong presence in the markets that your business is located?

Google the company’s name to see if there are any trends or consistent complaints.

Follow the company on social media or sign up for their energy news and correspondence.

Ask other respected businesses you work with if they use a particular company and how they like the service.

If you plan to evaluate prices on your own be sure to carefully review contract terms, hidden fees, deposits, renewal language, and cancellation policies.

Always be sure to review the final terms and conditions before you sign anything!!

Conclusion

Although each customer is unique, the basic steps of PMC’s energy procurement process are the same. The results are competitive price options to fit your individual long-term energy strategy. At PMC we will keep you up to speed on market information throughout the year with our e-newsletters, and contact you well in advance to discuss renewal options.

CONTACT US TO LEARN HOW YOUR COMPANY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE USE OF AN ENERGY PROCUREMENT EXPERT